Behind the Mask (Part 1)

Chapter 1: Two Lives, One Purpose (Part 1)

“Sections Two and Four, prepare for combat!” Siel ordered through the voice transmitter in his helmet. His left hand index finger hovered over the small button on the left side of his helmet. A half second passed before a response was given.

“Understood,” a voice said. “Section Two awaiting further orders.”

“Section Four awaiting further orders,” a different, deeper voice continued.

With a thin smile, Siel leaned back on his seat then spun the chair around to face the left wall of the room. Some of the buttons’ lights on the dashboard were blinking, faintly illuminating the dimly lit command room. Reaching over, he pressed a few buttons. A screen appeared in the air above the dashboard, and a face flickered on the screen shortly afterward. Siel leaned backwards. “How are things going?”

A man of twenty-two years of age nodded once, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose. More out of habit than necessity, it seemed. “Fine. We’re expecting them to attack in approximately two minutes.”

“Good. Stand ready for my command.”

“Understood.”

The screen returned to its normal blank state. Siel muttered, “They won’t be winning the battle this time.” He glanced to the front of the room, where on the dashboard was a mini map of their territories. There were no enemy movements on their land. Yet, Siel silently added, staring at it for a few seconds. A fist knocked on the door two times. Siel placed his index and thumb fingers on the dashboard in front of him, pinching them together then opening them to create a rectangular shape. A hidden camera screen appeared from the finger-dragging motions, disclosing the familiar face of someone on the other side of the door. “Enter.”

The door swung open as he turned around in his seat. The person closed the door and briskly walked over. “What would you like me to do?”

Siel considered the options for a couple of seconds. “Backup. Remain inside the compound unless reinforcements are needed.”

He nodded, quickly registering the information. Siel stared at the person for a brief second. A mechanical suit and helmet shielded his body and face from others just like any other fighting person in the compound, but he could vaguely see the eyes behind the brown-black visor. I just happen to be the only person whose mask conceals his complete face from others. This fighter had emerald green eyes. “Would you like me to—?”

Siel held his right hand up, his two small fingers bent slightly, silencing him. He used the same hand and reached over, pressing a button. There was a sound of something metal shutting. “Continue.”

The young man pulled his helmet off his head, and he swept a hand over his dark brown hair to somewhat straighten it out. “Right. Soundproof walls. I almost forgot.” He glanced around. “Still tech-savvy as always.”

Siel laughed through his nose and smiled, the edges of his lips raising just the slightest, not that the person in front of him could tell. “We can talk later. It’s about time we head into battle.”

“Right. Would you prefer me to stay in this room or outside?”

“Whatever you please.” Siel turned around to face the map once more. “Get back to work, Gabriel.”

He heard the sound of the young man dipping his head and then straightening, placing the helmet back on his head. “As you wish. I’ll be right outside of the door.” There was no response. He headed out. Siel reached over and pressed the same button; once again, there was a quit mechanical grinding sound as the soundproof walls lifted. Just as they lifted, a beeping noise caught his attention. His eyes shot downwards to the map in front of them. Red dots appeared from two fronts. In front of him was the dashboard-projected image of the larger version of the map. With a grim smile, he said, “Let the battles begin.”